INDEPENDENT NIOBIUM AND TANTALUM MINERALS DISCOVERED IN SAIMA DEPOSIT, EASTERN LIAONING

Through scanning electron microscopy and electron probe, independent niobium-tantalum minerals, mainly loparite, betafite and fersmite, are identified from the Saima Nb-Ta deposit in eastern Liaoning Province for the first time. The discovery solves the controversy about the existence of independent niobium-tantalum minerals in the area. According to the results of Sr-Nd-Pd isotope analysis, it is inferred that the mineralization of the niobium-tantalum deposit is related to mantle enrichment, with mixture of some crustal materials.